Millennials and Gen X have taken to TikTok to call out the "Gen Z stare," when a Gen Z worker seems to be rudely unresponsive to a question or ask. However, Gen Z users have a different take and are defending the mannerism.

Now, to be fair to zoomers, a few weeks ago there were a few posts — and a write-up from the New York Post, naturally — complaining about the Gen Z "gaze" from service workers. That's seemingly related to the "stare" debate now, but it's certainly evolved.